The wave

Up on the mountainside to the west, you can now see Åkernesremna – one of Norway’s most feared natural hazards. This enormous mountain range is in slow but steady motion, and when – or if – it collapses into the fjord, it could trigger a catastrophic tsunami. The masses that could collapse are estimated to be 15 to 30 times larger than the landslide that caused the Tafjord disaster in 1934, in which 40 people lost their lives. Åkernesremna is several hundred meters long and up to 60 meters deep. The mountain masses subside several centimeters every year, and geologists monitor the area closely with advanced measuring equipment and alarm systems. If the landslide is detected in time, the population in the exposed areas can be evacuated before the wave hits. This dramatic natural hazard was the inspiration for the 2015 film The Wave, which shows how a landslide from Åkerneset can send a devastating tsunami towards Geiranger. The film is based on realistic scenarios and reflects how fragile the balance between idyll and disaster is in this powerful landscape. When you look up at the mountain now, you can almost feel the tension that rests over the area – a silent reminder of the unstoppable power of nature.